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“True revolution, the revolution that radicallytransforms life, was

brought about by JesusChrist through His Resurrection.”

Pope Francis, to the participants at the pastoral assembly of the diocese of Rome, 17 June 20

fession all our sins are completely forgiven,yet there remain the consequences and effectsof these sins. These negative consequencesfollow from our sins, and we must undertakepenance to help purify ourselves from theseconsequences. We must also be purified fromthe bad habits and selfish tendencies we haveacquired from which our sins can spring. Inorder to heal these, or to overcome them, the

Church helps us, from the Treasury of Graces– the infinite merits of Jesus Christ – and themerits of all the saints, by granting us a partial,or in this case, a plenary indulgence. To re-ceive the Jubilee Indulgence we must fulfilcertain conditions, notably Confession andHoly Communion, prayer for the intentions ofthe Pope and some specified act of charity to-wards God or neighbour, such as a visit to aJubilee church. But there is a further and sadlyoften forgotten condition in order for this graceto be effective; and that is the firm resolve, theinner determination to turn away from sin andbecome a better person. We cannot acquiresuch indulgences through money, nor indeed

Easter is sometimes called “the Feast ofFeasts”, since without the Resurrection ourpreaching would be in vain and our faithwould be in vain (cf 1 Cor 15:14). If our Sav-iour were not alive, there could be no redemp-tion, no Christian life. As Nietzsche once saidmockingly, “His disciples would have to lookmore redeemed to me, in order forme to believe in their Redeemer.”

But that is precisely the reasonwhy we celebrate Easter, so thatwe can be “more redeemed” asChristians. And it is also whyPope Francis has given us this Year of Mercy,so that redemption can light up our hearts andfaces. The Jubilee indulgence, which we cangain by passing through the “Holy Door” in thedesignated churches of the Jubilee in our dio-ceses, or by performing some work of mercy,also points to the profundity of our redemption.

Yet many people have little time for indul-gences. As a result of the unfortunate abusesthat have occurred over the course of history,this wonderful gift has acquired something ofa tarnished name. Yet how are we to under-stand the profound and beautiful truth aboutindulgences? In the holy Sacrament of Con-

can we acquire them “automatically”, bymeans of particular religious practices. Onlyif we have the right inward spirit of conversion– and the genuine desire to please God – canour souls experience the fulness of His healingand sanctifying grace.

Dear Friends, we conclude the Easter octavewith the celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday,

a feast that is also connected to aspecial kind of plenary indul-gence. In fact Jesus Himself saidto Saint Faustyna, “On this daythe very depths of my tenderMercy are open. I pour out awhole ocean of graces upon those

souls who approach the fount of my Mercy.The soul that will go to Confession and receiveHoly Communion shall obtain complete for-giveness of sins and punishment.” During thisJubilee year may Divine Mercy Sunday alsobe a “feast of feasts” for us, so that with burn-ing hearts we can carry forth the joy of theResurrection into the world.

My grateful blessing on you all,

Father Martin M. BartaEcclesiastical Assistant

May Divine Mercy Sundaybe a feast of feasts for us!

Passing throughthe Holy Doorwith the Pope.Christ’s healingmercy comes tous through theChurch.

© Grzegorz Galazka

No 3 • March/April 2016Published eight times per year

At first there were just a couple ofthem, then a dozen, now there are afew hundred. No other religion inChina is growing faster than Christi-anity – despite continuing oppres-sion. By now there are over 100million Christians among the 1.3 bil-lion Chinese people.

Somewhere in the vast reaches of China ourbrothers and sisters in Christ live and pray –friends we cannot name for the sake of theirown safety. Their dearest wish is to have a

larger chapel, and better still a properchurch, where they can kneel, pray and singbefore the Lord and celebrate Holy Mass. Atthe moment they continue to meet in variousdifferent places, in family homes or in emptyhouses. But all these places have become fartoo small for this expanding community andare stifling its growth. The secret yearningof the faithful is that their church should be-come a mission centre. For despite all thepersecution, whether subtle or overt, every-body knows that the Christians are a stabil-ising element within society – and as a result

For the mission in China

The centre for priests near Khartoum: a house of prayer, of trust, of rest and refreshment

the authorities sometimes turn a blind eye,even in godless China. We have promised€28,500 so that they can build this churchwhich in the future could become a centrefor mission. •

Persecution

An oasis of lovein a hostile environment

Christianity is by far the most persecuted religion worldwide. Over 100 million Christians today suffer violent oppression. Sudan ranks as one ofthe worst offenders in the repression and persecution of Christians.

According to Article 5 of the Constitution,Islamic sharia law is the source of all legis-lation and jurisprudence in Sudan. All reli-gious minorities, and in particularChristians, are at the mercy of the arbitraryrule of this Islamist regime. Any churchbuildings or other properties deemed to benot in use can be seized by the state at anytime. And at the same time no permits arebeing granted for new church buildings.Christian communities and their priests areunder constant surveillance by the secret po-lice. Catechesis and school education aresubject to arbitrary suspension by the au-thorities, because of such state interventionCatholic priests go about their work with asense of vulnerability and fear.

In this climate it is essential for these Chris-tians to be able to feel the solidarity of otherChristians around the world – and moreovera sense of communion among themselves.The priests of the 27 parishes in the Arch-diocese of Khartoum also need a place

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where they can meet together safely, speakopenly and share their thoughts and feelingsabout their work, their pastoral hopes andthe problems and sucesses they experiencein their ministry. They need a place wherethey can seek counsel, an open welcome,sympathy and understanding. A housewhere they can pray, reflect and plan,deepen their theological understanding anddiscuss their pastoral practice. In short, theyneed a house of prayer where they can bepsychologically and spiritual renewed.

This house already exists. Priests come hereboth from Sudan and from the now inde-pendent South Sudan. It is a house of unity.But it is also old and derelict, with cracks inthe walls. A leaking roof and ill-fitting doorsthat testify to its constant use and its needfor urgent repair. Fortunately, a permit is notrequired for this work, only money. We havepromised €10,400 so that this oasis of love,unity and recuperation in a hostile environ-ment can continue to do its work. •

Before the Cross: the bishops are true pastors and leaders of the flock in Sudan.

By the light of the faith – young ChineseChristians look to the future with God.

© Andrzej Polec

Any donation you kindly give will go to support these, or similar

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Persecution

Article 18 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights defines religious freedom as the “freedom to change one’s religion or belief, and freedom,either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest one’s religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance”.

trying to encourage the people to stay in thecountry and supporting them, both spirituallyand humanly. There are too few schools, andfear stalks everywhere. Hunger and unem-ployment drive many people to flee – or insome cases, into the arms of Boko Haram.

Bishop Bruno is appealing for help. He hasrequested Mass stipends for his priests, andalso financial support for his 30 seminariansand for the families of his 20 lay catechists.They are his front-line troops, troops of love

and heralds ofcourage and newhope, of humanityand mercy. They arehis only weaponsagainst fear and ter-

rorism. Another major problem he faces istransport. He needs a vehicle, and help withthe cost of fuel, for transporting these priestsand catechists. The distances between theparishes are considerable and often there aresick people in urgent need of medication. Wehave promised help for all his priorities. Theloving, human face of his “troops” makes iteasier for his people to forget the uncaring for-getfulness of the outside world.

Trampling on the freedom of the Christians

In most Islamic countries this declaration is,in practice, negated by the provisions of sharialaw. There are frequent abuses of the right toreligious freedom in fact. For many radical Is-lamic groups the only law they recognise isthe sharia, plus certain warlike slogans fromthe Koran. One such group is the terroristBoko Haram movement, in northeast Nigeria.On average their terror campaign claims thelives of eight people a day, the great majorityof them Christians.

For two and a halfyears now BokoHaram has alsobeen bringing deathand devastation tonorthern Cameroon.Among the worst affected areas are the dio-ceses of Maroua-Mokolo and Yagoua where,given the climate and the economic condi-tions, the people already struggle to gain ameagre living from the soil. Theirs is a silentmartyrdom. “What happened with the attacksin Paris is what is happening to us almostevery day, but nobody is talking about it”, saysBishop Bruno Ateba of Maroua-Mokolo. Heand his priests are facing a monumental task

Praying for the victims of the violence, and for peace in Pakistan.

Heralds of love in the face of hunger, fear and Boko Haram

We find our redemption in the Cross… Good Friday liturgy in northern Cameroon.

In Pakistan too, Christians are living perma-nently under threat from the fanatics. Just a yearago two suicide bombers attacked the churchof Saint John in Youhanabad, in the diocese ofLahore. Altogether, 17 people were killed and80 others wounded. It was only thanks to theselfless courage of a young Christian securityguard – who confronted the attackers at the costof his own life – that a still greater catastrophewas averted, that would have caused morebloodshed. Since then many of the victims’families have been struggling to survive, someliving in dire poverty, others still suffering fromterrible wounds. They are among the forgottenvictims of this anti-Christian persecution. Andthere is a real fear that something similar couldhappen again, possibly at Pentecost or duringany Sunday Mass. Security measures have beentightened, and video cameras placed at all theentrances to the church. We have promised€10,000 in help, so that the Catholic faithfulcan pray without fear and with at least somepeace of heart, and be able to reflect on thewords of St John the Evangelist, patron of theirchurch: “Grace and truth came through JesusChrist” (Jn 1:17). •

© Magdalena W

olnik

projects, and enable the pastoral work of Aid to the Church in Need.

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Reconciliatio

n

Pope Francis asks: “How much doyou love? What is your faith like?” Heanswers: “My faith is as my love is”,as “Love is the measure of faith”.

Love is the measuring rod for Christians, evenfor those who are persecuted and oppressed.That is why they are, or should be, alwaysprepared to forgive. And when this seems al-most impossible, humanly speaking, then weneed people who can remind us that nothingis impossible for God.

In Burundi, a small country in the heart ofAfrica that was also caught up in the terriblegenocide between the rival Hutu and Tutsitribes in neighbouring Rwanda, there is ayoung religious community that seeks tomeasure up to this yardstick of our faith. It iscalled “New Life for Reconciliation” and it isattracting many young people. “Reconcilia-tion springs from forgiveness”, says Arch-bishop Simon Ntamwana of Gitega, whofounded this apostolic movement. It is a com-munity open to Catholics from every state

and walk of life, both religious and lay –presently including three priests, four broth-ers and a dozen novices. Until recently thesenovices did not even have a roof over theirheads but, working with other helpers, theyhave now built a house, with small individualrooms and a chapel. So far so good. But therooms are still empty; there is no money leftfor beds, mattresses, chairs, tables, cup-boards, bookshelves…So now they have askedus for €4,141, so thatthey can buy at least themost basic furniture forthese rooms. These young men need a placeto study and also to withdraw to from time totime, so that they can reflect on the manyprojects and duties in the work of reconcilia-tion in their country and pray about them. Wehave said yes, of course. For the measuringrod of their need should also be the measuringrod of our love.

Another major project for reconciliationis the youth centre in Sarajevo, the capitalof Bosnia and Herzegovina. This projectis now in its third and final phase, al-though the centre is already up and run-ning. Shortly before it was opened, PopeFrancis met there with thousands of young

people and asked them – indeed entrustedto them this mission: “Work for peace, allof you together. Muslims, Jews, Ortho-dox, Catholics and those of other religionstoo. We are all brothers; make peace, donot allow anything to destroy our unityand brotherly friendship!” The missionconstitutes, so to speak, the very DNA ofthis centre. The Catholic Church could

have timidly acceptedbeing a minoritychurch in the countryand just kept herself toherself. But timidity is

not the measure of a Christian. Instead,Cardinal Vinko Puljic is looking to the fu-ture and striving, through these youngpeople, to build bridges across the reli-gious and ethnic divides. The John Paul IIYouth Centre is one of the great pillars ofthis project. In this place young people arelearning not merely tolerance, but recon-ciliation. And they are helping too, wher-ever they can. But for this third and finalphase they need professional tradesmen,for the plastering, wiring, installing stairsetc. The total cost comes to €1.5 million.We have promised a contribution of€200,000 – for the present and futurework of reconciliation. •

“Work for peace, all of you together!”

“We are all brothers!” – Pope Francis during the visit to the youth centre.

More than mere tolerance

Builders of reconciliation in Burundi: thenovices at work on their future novitiate.

Any donation you kindly give will go to support these, or similar

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Syria

help – Father Sammour is able to distribute to400 of the most needy of these families. Forthe cans of tuna, the packs of spaghetti, thesugar, cheese, flour and tea bring a littlewarmth and love from the outside world backinto their bombed-out homes. An additional450 families find a little bit of new hope in thehelp you provide towards their rent, withoutwhich they would be forced to leave theirhomes. And for around 500 Christians, yourlove is shown through the medication withoutwhich many of them could not even survive.Even the cost of food and medicines is still be-

A little bit ofpeace Nowhere in Syria is safe today. Butthere are some towns in which thereare fewer car bomb attacks and wheresuicide bombings in crowded marketplaces or outside public buildings arenot so frequent.

There is no such thing as normal life in Syria.But there are at least some places where, oc-casionally, water runs from the taps and theelectricity supply is switched on for a fewhours, where some food and medicines canstill be obtained and where teachers can stillteach the children. Today, Homs is like thisagain. There are many Christians living here,and they want to stay. Jesuit Father SammourNawras is caring for them. In fact he is theirpastor, their master builder, teacher, nurse,driver, electrician, delivery man – and so muchmore besides. In fact he is the one who en-sures their survival. “They just want a littlenormality”, he says, “a little bit of peace, herein Homs, their home town.”

This little bit of peace and normality is some-thing they can also savour in the monthly bas-ket of food supplies which – thanks to your

“Look on me, a little child...”

yond the reach of most of them. Of the 16 hos-pitals that once served Homs and its district,ten no longer function, while the rest are over-filled. For the past five years even attemptingto get to school or university meant riskingone’s life every day. Now, thanks to your help,around 600 students can benefit from the com-parative safety of school buses, without whichthey could not get to their places of study.

All these small, practical forms of help are or-ganised by Father Sammour, and they all givethe Christian communities here the courage tostay on in their home town of Homs. All in all,it comes to about €65 per person – that’s howmuch you are giving, so that Father Sammourand his people can hold out and withstand thepersecution, the hatred of the fanatics and thecalculating indifference of the combatants. Sooften it is the Christians who find themselvestrapped between government troops and rebelfighters, and permanently in danger of beingground down, or even driven out. But at thesame time they are the ones who bear theseeds of reconciliation in their hearts. Theirfaith in Jesus Christ is their faith in love andforgiveness. Your gestures of solidarity helpto keep the hope of peace alive in Homs’Christians. And there is nothing this ravagedcountry needs more than heralds of hope andlove. •Soup kitchen – north-west of Homs – for “the least of these little ones”.

Father Sammour, with some of the young-sters: “Here in Homs we feel at home.”

projects, and enable the pastoral work of Aid to the Church in Need.

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The poor helping the poorest In Israel too, Christians do not al-ways have an easy time of it. Not in-frequently viewed with mistrust byJews and often despised by Mus-lims, here in the Holy Land they nev-ertheless endeavour, by the exampleof their lives, to preach the GoodNews to all people of goodwill. Archbishop Georges Bacouni of the MelkiteGreek-Catholic Archeparchy of Akka, Haifa, Nazareth and All Galilee (withthe Pope, in the photo) has now called on the faithful of his diocese to cometo the aid of other Christians in the Middle East. He has organised a collec-tion in all his parishes. He wants to help his fellow Christians in the regionwho are suffering, and he wants to do so together with ACN, to be sure thattheir help actually gets to those in need. It is a case of the poor helping thestill poorer, of giving, from the little they have – rather like the widow in theGospels. We are grateful to him for his trust – yet we see it as an appeal tous as well: to multiply these gifts by imitating their generosity.

Johannes FreiherrHeereman,Executive President, ACN (International)

Dear Friends,No doubt you are familiar with that ancientCatholic tradition – or have at least seen itin old films from time to time – when thebells of the village church ring out at mid-day, and all the people working in the fieldsdown tools and pray the Angelus, whereverthey happen to be. Today these church bellsare often drowned out by the din of themodern world – but we can still keep up thattradition and pray the Angelus at the tradi-tional times, and perhaps also add a shortimpromptu prayer for a particular need.

Sadly, there is no shortage of such needstoday. For example, I join in with a prayergroup who, once or twice a day, or evenmore, offer up to heaven this short ejacula-tory prayer for our persecuted brothers andsisters in the cradle of Christianity, the HolyLand, and especially in Syria and Iraq:“Lord have mercy on the Holy Land andgrant it your peace!”

We can easily tack this prayer on to our An-gelus, and indeed there is nothing to stop usadding still more prayers for our fellowChristians who are suffering – such as theRosary for example. But knowing that weare part of a community of many, perhapsmany thousands, of people who daily offerup this short prayer, strengthens our senseof solidarity and encourages us, knowingwe will surely find an open ear with our Fa-ther in heaven.

Need, love and thanks − your letters Quiet heroes of the Faith I came across the advertisement for Aid to the Church in Need in the CatholicNewspaper of our Diocese. I was imme-diately drawn to the good work thatpriests, religious sisters and brothers do– on a 24 hour basis – year after year!Working in tremendously adverse … ag-onizing situations – fraught with dangerand ongoing medical emergencies. Godbless and encourage these selfless indi-viduals! I enclose a postal note for 1000Dollar. I was going to ask you to pray for a spe-cial intention that I have. But after seeingwhat dreadful conditions might befall oneof these chosen by God – I have no rightto even consider asking such a thing.These are extremely wicked times we livein – the slaughter of innocents and Chris-tians commonplace across the world. Ipray to Jesus and his most blessedMother to protect, guide and bless each

son and daughter who works so tirelesslydoing God’s work.

A benefactress in Australia

A big fan of ACNThe world is a better place, thanks toACN. I am a big fan of yours.

A benefactor in Brazil

Thank you for your generous help Many thanks for your generous help andfor your many good ideas and initiatives,whether in terms of practical help for theneedy or pastoral care for the little ones.

A benefactress in Germany

Making us aware of the needThank you to ACN for being so close tothose who are suffering at this time in theMiddle East. It makes us all more awareof the need and brings us together inprayer.

A benefactor in Argentina

Editor-in-chief: Jürgen LiminskiResponsible Publisher:

Kirche in Not, Postfach 1209, D-61452 Königstein

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How to make your contribution to the Church in Need:

1. Go to our Head Office website: www.acn-intl.org2. Click the donate now button

3. Either: Go to the National Office of Aid to the Church in Needin your country.

4. Or: Make an online donation (if you live in a country without an ACN National Office).